Will Glen Rock Get a Mural?

The Glen Rock Council gathered on August 27, 2025 for a work session to discuss an Arts Council proposal to install a mural on one of the pool walls. The conversation looked back at a similar community art initiative from 2022, when a resident suggested painting the shack at Wilde Memorial. To make the process fair, the borough opened the opportunity to the wider community. Though in the end, only one resident submitted a proposal and completed the work. That precedent shaped how council members approached tonight’s discussion, emphasizing inclusivity and transparency in public art on borough property.

During the session, Council members considered key aspects of the new mural proposal. The Arts Council would manage accepting applications and reviewing ideas from local artists. Because groups such as Glen Rock High School’s National Art Honor Society and other residents have shown interest, the Council agreed it was important the opportunity be broadly available. While the Arts Council would handle artistic selections, final design approval would remain with the Borough Council. The Council made clear it would not dictate specific themes or colors, instead ensuring the mural would be “tasteful” and enduring.

Technical details also came up. Council members questioned the idea of painting directly on brick, given potential durability issues. They also considered a “maintenance clause,” where the Arts Council would refresh the mural if it began to “look a little sad” or faded over time. If the Arts Council failed to keep up, the borough reserved the right to remove the mural. These provisions would likely be spelled out in a formal Memorandum of Understanding.

Financing for the mural is expected to come from a county grant available to nonprofits. The Arts Council plans to submit a letter of intent by September 10 and a full proposal in October. If all stays on schedule, the mural would be completed by May 1, just in time for the pool’s opening. Council members generally expressed enthusiastic support for the project, calling it a “great project” for the community and voting to move forward with drafting an official proposal and firming up the maintenance and approval details.